And I decided to blog...

I am gifted with a good memory. But as time passes by I humbly admit that there are days when I vaguely remember things from the past...tsk...tsk...and so I decided to jot down important stuff or events that I would like to always remember. My first choice was to put it in a Word document and save it in a disk or USB...but isn't it a hassle to always carry a disk or USB? Then I remember some of my friends who shared some of their experiences through blogging. Very handy, I can access it anywhere and anytime I want to.

When I started blogging it was solely for personal use, like a diary. However, this viewpoint about blogging changed after I read the book Blogging from Home by Ms. Janette Toral. It was only then that I realized the many beneficial things that blogging can offer. Aside from making it as a hobby it can also be like a 'part-time job' to supplement your income. A very informative and useful book especially for people like me who knew little about blogging.

Hence, I now see this blog not only as a reservoir of my thoughts but also as a means to earn extra profit...cool... ;)

Happy Christmas!

Christmas...the most awaited day of the year...and to complete the festive mood are Christmas songs being played on the radio or sang on various churches.

Here's a list of some of my favorite Christmas songs...

Give Love On Christmas Day

'It's the thought that counts' as one of the famous cliche goes...the price or size of the gift does not really matters. What is important is that we were remembered by the person.

I'll be home for Christmas

I only have few memories of my Papa spending Christmas with us. He used to work overseas before. How excited we were whenever there's a chance that Papa can spend the holidays with us.

O, Christmas Tree

Whenever I play this song on the piano or keyboard, I remember my lola. I remember playing this song to her with the Christmas tree lights as the only light opened. Wow, the feeling is indescribable.

Sino Si Santa Claus?

Matagal-tagal din na pinaniwala kami ng parents ko na totoo si Santa Claus. And as the saying goes, history repeats itself, turn naman namin ng husband ko to make our kids believe that Santa Claus is real...hehehe...

Rudolf the Red Nose Reindeer

This is my youngest son's favorite Christmas song and mine as well. I have a piano and keyboard piece of this song and my son will always ask me to play it for him. Hence, an ordinary day turns to be like Christmas day whenever I play this song for him ;)

I'm Dreaming of a White Christmas

Since childhood it's my dream to experience a White Christmas...to see and feel a real snow...to build a snowman...haayyy...sarap mag-imagine...hehehe...

Chestnuts Roasting On An Open Fire

Whenever I hear this Christmas song all I can utter is (in a Kiwi accent pa!)...Life is just bloody good!

So handsome!

It was a cold morning at the New North Rd bus stop in Auckland New Zealand (this was 7 years ago when I can still do early shift at work). I was waiting for the 700am bus to town with our neighbor (she is a New Zealander) and because it was cold I was so sleepy and having second thoughts of going to work. Suddenly, my neighbor said with so much excitement "he is so handsome!". I was awaken upon hearing the word HANDSOME. Could he be a look alike of Brad Pitt?

Goodness me! I tried not to laugh when I saw the "handsome" she was referring to...
Yes, she was referring to a dog, a boxer!

Moral lesson of the story, think twice or thrice before answering "Thank You" if someone tells you that you are beautiful or handsome. Who knows maybe that person sees you in a different perspective...bwahahaha....

An Awesome Christmas Promotion for Nuffnang Bloggers

I was so thrilled when my friend told me about Nuffnang Australia and even more thrilled when I learned about the competition and the prizes :)

So what is Nuffnang Australia? It is a local blog ad network where Australian bloggers who sign-up will run Australian ads on their blogs. Bloggers receive payment when matched successfully with local advertisements sold by Nuffnang.

Aside from unique features that they offer (such as the Analytics) they also have some interesting events in plan. One that caught my attention is the Nuffnang Charity. This made blogging more appealing to me especially if I will be doing it for a cause. No wonder my friends Lyn, Janette and Jhermie can't wait to sign-up with Nuffnang.

And what gives me the urge to do this post...the prize that they will be giving away for their Christmas promotion! Who would not be attracted to a Dell Inspiron Mini 9? Such a beauty and truly an inspiration for me to finish this post ;)

Finally...

Last Wednesday was a very stressing day not only for me but also to my colleagues at work. It was the day the company where I am working with announced the new organizational structure. I'm so thankful that I still have a job but lonely to see those people I knew who were made redundant.

Oh well that's life. It's hard to predict what will happen in the future hence we should not waste any chance that we may have to prepare ourselves for the unexpected.

And the count down begins....

3 months of ordeal at work is what I feel at this very moment. Yes, the company where I am presently working is having a restructure. The worst part is we do not know yet whether they will keep us or not. The company will announce the final decision on November 26.

I wonder what the other staff feels, especially those with kids and have only one source of income? It must be very stressful for them. I'm still thankful that my husband has a good job (life is still good!). But, I still feel sad when I think about the possibility of losing my job. I love working at Elders. The people, from staff to managers, are very supportive and helpful. When I joined the company, I said to myself that this is where I want to retire. I hope this will still happen...

It's not only us affected by this economic crisis. There are many companies from other countries that are also having a restructure. The proper thing to do is to have a plan. I do have plans. If ever the company will not keep me I want to pursue my other dream, that is to enter the food industry. Someday I want to have my own restaurant. But first I need to have certifications on good hygiene and hospitality.

I can't wait for next week. I can't wait to know what the company's final decision is, if they will keep us or not. As what my office mate said the only thing we can do is to hope for the best...

Just a thought...part 2

I always remind myself that though I can make choices there is someone more powerful than me who can change my life in a wink of an eye. This belief keeps me grounded.

When I was young I easily get disappointed when things do not happen the way I planned it. I realized that the more I expect the more I will be hurt when my expectations were not met. I also have this tendency to set standards and sometimes imposed them to the people around me specially to those people I loved and if these were not met I get so infuriated. But as I get older, I am becoming more selfless and open-minded.

"Expect the unexpected" is one of my favorite sayings...I learned to live life one day at a time and not to expect anything. Any unpleasant event that I may encounter become an easy burden. I still plan ahead though but I am not anymore expecting that all my plans will materialized.

Is there really a secret how to live life to the fullest? Maybe or maybe not...what ever will be will be as what I always tell my children...better yet don't worry and just be happy....:)